The Rancher’s Surprise Triplets

She shifted Eli to her other shoulder. “I’m so sorry. No one should have to endure such treatment.” Her eyes softened around the edges so that she looked like she smiled although her mouth did not curve. There was something soft about the way she held her lips. As if comfort came naturally to her. Perhaps it was the product of being a doctor’s daughter.

Something about that look, whether it be sympathy or pity, he couldn’t say, but it dripped into his heart like honey. He didn’t even try to reason why he should think such a thing, though perhaps it was because she didn’t judge or condemn or offer solutions. Merely said it shouldn’t have happened. “I couldn’t agree more,” he said after a moment of consideration.

“You said she died when you and your brother were sixteen. What happened after that? Did you boys leave home?”

“We both thought of it and discussed plans. But one thing stopped us.”

“Tell me what it was.”

“Our mother.”

She blinked. “But... I don’t understand.”

“We stayed to honor her and the sacrifices she’d made for us.” He could see the confusion in Louisa’s eyes and continued with an explanation. “I remember early on when we first realized how cruel Father was. I thought she should leave. She told me she would never do so because he would not let her have her boys. She would suffer any kind of agony to be with us. Brandon cried at her answer. I squished my fists into balls and told her I would never stay if it wasn’t for her. She held me and told me to remember I was responsible for my actions, not his. And God said we should honor our parents. She eventually convinced me that I would be happier doing things God’s way rather than my own. It’s why we stayed.”

“That’s very decent of you.”

He shrugged. “We both knew it was what both God and Mother would want.”

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